Blake Contant

Steve Virgen

Regarding a baseball team known for its depth and experience with 11

seniors, it might be difficult to determine who would be the leader

of the Corona del Mar High Sea Kings.

However, a closer look at how CdM has been able to come within one

win of a CIF Southern Section Division IV championship, one should

see the Sea Kings’ catalyst. His name is Blake Contant, a senior

left-handed pitcher.

Corona del Mar is 24-5 and a big reason for that has been the

quiet cool and team-first attitude of Contant, who has collected 11

wins and four saves. He also has a 1.83 ERA.

So it makes sense that when CdM took on San Dimas in a CIF

Division IV quarterfinal, the Sea Kings were calm and confident,

mainly because their ace, Contant, was on the mound.

Contant was excited to be in the moment, being able to help the

Sea Kings move on to the semifinals.

“I like the hype,” said Contant, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the

Week. “I really don’t get effected by the drama and the other team

yelling at me. I like when I hear the hollering from the other side.

I just use it for momentum. That pumps me up.”

Before the season began, the Sea Kings voted Contant as the team

captain. He has done his best to lead by example. When he’s asked

about his pitching prowess or a standout performance, he always

credits the defense behind him.

“There’s no coincidence that he was named team captain,” CdM Coach

John Emme said. “Blake was the guy. He’s our leader. Eleven wins,

four saves and we have 24 wins, that speaks what he means to the

team. He is our heart and soul.

“He understands you’re nothing without your teammates. He preaches

that and leads the way. He’s one that there’s no doubt that I’m going

to miss. I wish I could keep him forever.”

Contant battled and remained consistent against the San Dimas

Saints, who crowded the plate frequently. Contant continued to hit

his spots and delivered a five-hit, complete-game performance,

helping lead the Sea Kings to a 5-1 victory on Friday that advanced

CdM to the semifinals.

The outing also resulted in Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week

honors, but Contant has seemingly been the Athlete of the Season for

the Sea Kings. Corona del Mar looked to its senior pitcher in the

final two innings of an emotional baseball game against Pacific Coast

League foe Northwood in the CIF Division IV semifinals Tuesday.

“I was thinking if we can get through the fifth without giving up

another run, we were going to win the game because they’re not going

to score on Blake,” Emme said. “[The Sea Kings] knew they had to

score two runs and win. You could see the sense of calm that came on

the kids. That’s what will be nice, handing him the ball on

Saturday.”

Corona del Mar rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh to

take a 6-5 lead, and Contant finished the deal. He walked the first

batter, but then threw two strikes before inducing a double-play

groundball. The next batter reached on an error, and it seemed to

give new life for the Timberwolves.

However, Contant quickly shut the door, getting ahead of the count

once again, with two straight strikes and then leading the batter

into a groundout to end the game. The Sea Kings will face Tesoro in

the CIF Division IV championship game Saturday at 10 a.m. at Dodger

Stadium. Contant will start.

“He has completely mastered using both sides of the plate,” Emme

said. “He is a true craftsman on the mound. Blake rarely misses.”

Conant is hoping to use his talents to earn a spot on the team at

the University of Arizona next year. He said he will be a preferred

walk-on when he starts to practice with the Wildcats in the fall.

Contant views his situation at Arizona as a challenge.

“I’ve always been put on a challenge,” he said. “Coming into the

varsity program, my sophomore year, I had to show what I was made of.

And, I did. I’ve always been a hard worker. I don’t mess around. My

motto has been: If you’re not out doing it like someone else, you’re

going to get beat.”